By Innocent Orok
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has emphasized the urgent need for effective regulation in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector, noting that the industry must be properly guided by law to yield full national and economic benefits.
Osigwe made this remark when the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr Abisoye Fagade, paid him a courtesy visit at the NBA House in Abuja.
Mazi Osigwe, SAN, commended the ongoing transformation and professionalisation drive being championed by NIHOTOUR under Dr Fagade’s leadership. He noted that with proper legal and institutional frameworks, the hospitality and tourism sector could become one of Nigeria’s most reliable engines for job creation, youth empowerment, and global competitiveness.
“Our hospitality and tourism industry must be regulated to yield maximum benefits for Nigeria. Proper standards, accountability, and consumer protection are key. The NBA is ready to collaborate with NIHOTOUR in providing the necessary legal backbone to achieve this,”he said.
In his response, Dr Fagade expressed appreciation for the NBA’s willingness to partner with NIHOTOUR, describing the association as a critical stakeholder in strengthening institutional governance across service industries.
“Regulation backed by strong legal principles is vital to ensuring our sector’s growth is both sustainable and globally credible. NIHOTOUR is committed to driving this transformation in line with national tourism policy,” Fagade, assured.
The visit marks the beginning of a new partnership between NIHOTOUR and the NBA aimed at enhancing legal collaboration, policy alignment, and professional training on tourism law and ethics. The engagement supports NIHOTOUR’s broader mission of building a competent, compliant, and competitive tourism workforce for Nigeria.
About NIHOTOUR:
Established in 1987, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is Nigeria’s premier training, certification, and regulatory body for hospitality, travel, and tourism professionals. The Institute leads workforce development, capacity building, and innovation initiatives across the country’s tourism value chain.
